Device for determining axle-engaging positions of axle blocks for a vehicle lift



H. D. SMITH 2,508,777 DEVICE FOR DETERMINING AXLE-ENGAGING POSITIONS OF AXLE BLOCKS FOR A VEHICLE LIFT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 23, 1950 Filed March 20, 1947 y 23, 1950 H. D. SMITH 2,508,777

DEVICE FOR DETERMINING AXLE-ENGAGING POSITIONS I OF AXLE BLOCKS FOR A VEHICLE LIFT Filed March 20, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

Wary :27. 52222722 Patented May 23, 1950 DEVICE FOR DETERMHVING AXLE-ENGAG- ING POSITIONS OF AXLE BLOCKS FOR A VEHICLE LIFT Harry D. Smith, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to Globe Hoist Company, Des Moines, Iowa, a corporation of Iowa.

Application March 20, 1947, Serial No. 735,831

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates generally to vehicle lifts and in particular to a device for determining the positions of longitudinally adjustable axle blocks when a vehicle is in a position to be elevated.

In vehicle hoists now in general use, and equipped with longitudinally adjustable or movable axle engaging blocks, the practice usually followed is to drive a vehicle over the hoist to a position to be elevated, and then by means of a hooked rod or the like, the hoist operator moves the blocks to positions at which he believes they will engage the vehicle axle. The hoist is then elevated to a height at which the blocks are in substantial engagement with the axle, and the operator observes the position of the blocks relative to the axle. In the event the blocks are out of an axle-engaging position, they are again adjusted, either directly or by first lowering the hoist, to provide for their free movement relative to the vehicle axle. Appreciable loss in time and inconvenience is encountered by this cut and try method to provide for a proper setting of the blocks to positively engage and support the vehicle axle.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide an improved device for determining'the angle-engaging positions of axle blocks when the vehicle is in a position to be elevated and prior to any operation of the hoist.

A further object of this invention is to provide for the adjustment of axle blocks to axleengaging positions with a minimum of time and inconvenience to the hoist operator.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a device for setting longitudinally movable axle blocks to axle engaging positions, which is of a simple construction, eilicient in operation, and applicable to both single post and two post hoists.

A feature of this invention is found in the provision of a device for determining the axle-engaging position of an adjustable axle block as soon as a vehicle is in a position to be elevated, which includes a rod member provided at one end with a hook of a construction to be connected with the axle block at a predetermined position relative to the axle engaging portion of the block. A slide member on the rod is adjustably movable, so that when the rod is extended longitudinally of the hoist and to one side thereof, with its hooked end centered relative to the vehicle axle to be engaged, the slidemember is movable to a position in line with a transverse gauge line or marker arranged outwardly from one end of the hoist so that the distance between the slide member and the hook is substantially equal to the distance between the center of the vehicle axle and the marker. When the rod is then hooked with the block, movement thereof to again locate the slide member in line with the transverse marker, concurrently provides for the movement of the block to an axle-engaging position.

Further objects, features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a two-post floorlevel hoist in which the rear post is illustrated as being equipped with a pair of longitudinally movable or adjustable axle blocks, and with both of the posts being shown in their elevated positions;

Fig. 2 is a foreshortened plan view of the hoist in Fig. 1, in its floor-level position and showing the application thereto of the device of this invention for determining the axle-engaging positions of the blocks on the rear hoist;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view of one of the axle blocks illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, with certain parts broken away and other parts shown in section to more clearly show its construction;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a block as seen along the line 4-4 in Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a combination measuring and axle block manipulating rod which forms part of the device of this invention.

With reference to the drawings there is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 a two-post hoist of floor level type, in which the front post, indicated generally as It], is provided with a saddle member ll having a pair of oppositely arranged seats I2 for engaging the front axle [3 of a vehicle to be elevated. When the hoist is in its lowered position, illustrated in Fig. 2, the front post I0 is completely covered by cover members M. In this lowered position of the hoist, the vehicle to be,

elevated is driven over the hoist so that its front wheels I6 are received within a pair of oppositely arranged floor depressions H for the purpose of centering the vehicle axle|3 relative to the axle engaging seats H2, in a manner which is well known.

The rear post, indicated generally as 23, includes a vehicle supporting frame 2| having a pair of oppositely arranged transversely spaced longitudinally extended frame members 22 which are of a flat upright construction. The rear \post 29 is receivable within a floor opening or pit 23 provided with a pair of stationary cover members 24 which are of a construction relative to the pit 23 to form a .pair of longitudinally extended openings 26 for receiving the frame members 22 h at a position below the level ofthe floor l5.

4 longitudinally on the floor surface |5 to one side of the rear .post 29, as shown in Fig. 2, such that the hook 43 is in line with the center line, indicated at 41, for the rear vehicle axle 32, and the grip end 42 of the rod 4| is located rearwardly of the rear post 29. With the rod 4| in this position, the slide member 45 is adjustably moved to a position in line with a transversely extended stationary gauge member or marker 48 which is arranged rearwardly of the rear post 29. The adjusted position of theslide member 45 thus delines a length of the rod 4| between its hook end 43 and the slide member 45, which is substantially equal to the distance between the rear axle center When the rear post is in its lowered posi- I tion, as illustrated in Fig. 2,- the space or opening 21 between the cover members 24, is closed by a cover plate 28 movably supported on the frame structure 2|, and adapted to be moved, to a closing.

position for the space 21 concurrently with the lowering of the frame members 22 Within the I openings 26.

Movably carried on the frame members 22 for longitudinal movement are a pair of axle blocks 29.; Since the axle blocks 29 are of a like construction and similarly assembled relative to a corresponding frame member 22, only one thereof will be referred to in detail in the following des ri on An axle block 29 (Figs. 3 and 4) includes a pair of oppositely arranged upright plate members 3| having V-shaped recesses 39formed in their upper ends adapted to receive therein the rear axle 350i a vehicle to be lifted; Pin members 32, arranged at opposite sidesof the recesses 39 connect the upper ends of the plates 3|. The plate members 3| of an axle block 29 are connected together intermediate their lowerand upper ends by a block member 38 secured therebetween, as by. welding, at a position between the rollers 33.

Intermediate the upper and lower ends of the plate members 3|, and rotatably supported therebetween in a longitudinally spaced relation, are a pair of rollers 33 adapted to ride on the top edge 34 ofa frame member 22. The lower end sections 36 of the plate members 3| are in a straddling relation with the frame member 22 to guidably support the axle block 29 for movement 1ongitudinally of the frame member. Stop members 31 (Figs. 1 and 2) are provided at opposite ends of a frame member 2-2 for engaging a plate member 3| to limit the longitudinal movement of the axle block 29 against rolling off of the frame member.

The device of this invention for determining the positions of the blocks 29 in which they will engage the vehicle rear axle 35, when the vehicle is in a position to be elevated, includes a combination measuring and block-manipulating rod 4| iFig. 5) integrally formed at one end with a hand grip 42. Secured to the opposite end of the rod 4| is a substantially U-shape hook or blockengaging member 43 which is arranged in the plane of the hand grip 42 and secured to the rod 4| by welding, indicated at 44.

Mounted on the rod 4|, for adjustable moveihent longitudinallytherof, is a slide member 45 of a substantially spherical shape provided with a locking nut 46. \Nhen the nut 43 is 1005- ened, the slide member 45 isfreely movable longit'udin'ally of the rod 4|. On tightening of the nut 46, the slide member 4 5 is frictionally held against movement in an adjusted position;

To determine the axle' engaging os tions of the blocks 29; the rod member 4 initially extended line 41 andthe gauge 48.

The gauge memberfl is shown as being a flat bar member embedded within the floor l5. However, it readily apparent that the gauge member 48'niay coiisistpf a line marking on the floor l5, or in some instances of a movable member adapted to be arranged relative to markings on thefioor so astoextend transversely of the hoist and, if necessary, at a spaced position above the floor or ground surface |5.

With the slide 45 in an adjusted position on the rod 4|, the rod.4| is manipulated to position the hook 43 over the rear one'of the connecting pins 32 of a block 29, so that on movement of the rod 4| to again position the slide member 45 in line with the marker 48, the block 29 is concurrently moved to a position at which the vehicle axle 35 will be received withinthe notch 39.

, As shown in Fig; 2, th marker 48; intermediateits .ends, is formed with a center section 50 which is rearwardly offset relative to the marker end sections 5| with which the slide member 45 was initially aligned. The distance between the sections 59 and 5| of the marker 48, indicated as A in Fig. 2, is substantially equal to the distance between the longitudinal axis of a connecting pin 32 and the apex 52 of a V-shape notch 33, as indicated by the letter B; also in Fig'. 2. The ofi= set A thus compensates for the engagement of the hook.43 with a pin 32 at a distance B from ily applicable to any type vehicle hoist which is equipped with longitudinally movable axle blocks, for engaging arid supporting either axle of a vehicle. It is to beunderstoo'd also that although the invention has been described with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof,- that it is not to be so limited since modifications can be made therein which are within the full intended scope of this invention, as defined by the appended claim.

I claim: 7 Apparatus for positioning an adjustable v'ehicle axle en gaging block or avehicle lift in a vehicle. axle-"engaging position comprising, a rod member having a hook at one end, an ad justable member adjustabl'y supported on said rod member for movement longitudinally thereof, a gauge m'einber adapted to be arranged transversely of the hoist and outwardly from one end thereof having an intermediate portion located within the transverse confines of the hoist, and end portions onset inwardly from said interim diate portion in a parallel relation with said in: terinediate ortion-, said end portions being pro: jeeted outwardly from the transverse confines orthe hoist, said axle-engaging block having an axie ieeeivmg parties and a portion ngageabl with said hook arranged in a longitudinally spaced relation on said axle block such that the distance between said last two mentioned portions is substantially equal to the offset between the intermediate portion and an end portion of said gauge member, said rod member being initially arranged longitudinally of the hoist and to one side thereof with said hook centered relatively to the vehicle axle and said adjustable member moved to a position in line with one of said end portions to provide for the distance from the adjustable member to said hook being substantially equal to the distance between the center of the vehicle axle and said end portion, whereby when said hook is later engaged with said hook-engaging portion movement of the rod to a position at which the adjustable member is in line with said intermediate portion concurrently provides for the movement of said axlereceiving portion into an axle-engaging position.

HARRY D. SMITH.

8 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

